Why We Need To Talk About Gunna

Sultan A. Isfahan
Sep 4, 2018 · 3 min read

Very few genres are dictated by a mentor-protegé dynamic like hip-hop. Artists defining their legacy through mentorship is nothing new, but its prominence in the hip-hop atmosphere is emblematic of how stylisms are passed down generationally. It’s why token phrases like, “X’s child,” or ,”Y’s children,” are commonplace in rap discussion. They aren’t reductionist modifiers meant to discredit an artist’s authenticity, rather, they allow us to navigate hip-hop’s linear progression in a family tree-esque manner. We can see where something began and where it is currently.

With a nearly decade-long run, Young Thug has amassed a legacy much unlike his contemporaries. Forgo his progressive sonic footprint, he has curated a range of mentees who’ve all grown into their own persons with distinct artistry, yet whose influences all go back to Thugger. This is why we need to talk about Gunna.

“Gunna has managed to take the quirks of Young Thug, whether they be vocal or instrumental, and reinvent them into a more accessible sound for a conventional listener base. He is, in a way, the “commercial” Young Thug.”

Young Thug’s accessibility is a continual talking point when the crooner’s music comes into question. His experimental vocalization and off-the-cuff art direction often prove too disconcerting for a mainstream audience i.e. he’s too weird for regular folk. Yet his protegé proves to be a consistent fan-favorite, and whose trajectory seems to be moving at a rate that will eventually surpass his mentor. Gunna’s knack for infectious yet unorthodox flows, alongside his signature nasally cadence and melody, have made him a coveted collaborator. This past summer alone, he’s made appearances on Playboi Carti’s Die Lit (No Time), Nav’s Reckless (Eat), Dave East’s Karma 2 (Us), Travis Scott’s Astroworld (Yosemite), and Amine’s OnePointFive (Hiccup) just to name a handful. His propensity for acoustic instrumentation has allowed him to carve out a niche, credit owed to his producer, Turbo the Great. The inclusion of acoustics in trap music is nothing new, we’ve seen it done by Thugger on his record, Beautiful Thugger Girls, but hearing guitars on a Gunna song have become synonymous with his music. Once an experimental choice by his mentor, Gunna has diluted it for his own music and made it part of his brand. Gunna has managed to take the quirks of Young Thug, whether they be vocal or instrumental, and reinvent them into a more accessible sound for a conventional listener base. He is, in a way, the “commercial” Young Thug.

This is by no means meant to invalidate Gunna’s artistry. This is simply evidence that he has perfected the craft of his master, a talent in and of itself. Given these circumstances, there is good reason to believe Gunna will be regarded as Young Thug’s strongest legacy. And as per tradition, it’s quite probable Sergio Kitchens will have “children” of his own one day.

Sultan A. Isfahan

Rap enthusiast and fashion connoisseur.

Welcome to a place where words matter. On Medium, smart voices and original ideas take center stage - with no ads in sight. Watch
Follow all the topics you care about, and we’ll deliver the best stories for you to your homepage and inbox. Explore
Get unlimited access to the best stories on Medium — and support writers while you’re at it. Just $5/month. Upgrade